Saturday, June 23, 2018

What You Should Know About Dating App Scams

By Douglas Scott


Scamming is a popular cybercrime mostly conducted on social media sites. Scams are designed to rob people of their money, get access to financial information and personal details for the wrong reasons. The most affected individuals are found in online dating networks. Although most sites claim to review their members, it is difficult to guarantee users of maximum safety from dating app scams. Scammers have a way of getting their way to social networks.

Identifying scammers is not difficult as many online users assume. Scammers may possess different characteristics, they have similar goals when it comes to online scamming. It is important to know, everyone can fall victim to online scamming. Understanding this fact helps online users be on the lookout for some strange behaviors while communicating with potential partners. Below are key factors every online user should pay attention to avoid scamming.

Scammers target older individuals especially divorced or widowed women. These individuals have little or lack internet literacy, one of the many reasons they fall victim to scammers. It might take an older person more time to detect any fraudulent behavior than a younger person. Old individuals seem to be more lonely and are willing to take any chance to find love and start a relationship.

Most sites have a strict rule, members should only share personal contact details when they feel comfortable with potential partners. However, scammers insist on talking using other communication mediums such as short message services or email. They never agree to talk via video chat or phone. Online conmen possess bad characters such as being dramatic, rude and erratic. It is evident you are a victim of a scam if your new prospect claims to love you after few days or weeks of talking.

Do not fall for anyone based on profile photo or details. Many people post photos that do not belong to them. Their profile information is also false, it does not match their true identity. Make use of Google image to search for duplicates. If by any chance you find multiple photos of the same person but with a different bio, chances are you are being scammed.

Language is a factor many online users overlook when dating online. It is always good to check for spelling errors or grammar mistakes. It is normal for an individual to spell one word incorrectly, multiple mistakes proof the person is not who they claim to be. Conmen have poor grammar and with time they contradict their own story.

Online conmen have a habit of bailing out on dates. The idea of meeting physically makes them uncomfortable, forcing them to give false excuses. In case they agree to show up for a date, scammers ask victims to pay for flight tickets or taxi.

It is easy to fall victim to scammers, if you are not cautious of the emotional manipulation scammers use on victims. Most scammers will accuse you of breaking their hearts, or use words like we should trust each other for this relationship to work. Do not trust an individual who wants you to bail them out of a financial emergency soon after you start dating. Make it clear you cannot share personal information or send money to a person you have not met.




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